Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-09-02
An Oft Repeated Tale
But one Which will Prove Itself
and Demonstrate Forcibly
the Benefits
OfIncoporation Which will Ac-
crue to the Property Holders
Of Miles City.
INCORPORATION.

INCORPORATION.
Prosperity With it-Dry Rot Without IL.
One week from to-day the people of
Miles City will be called upon to
choose whether this shall be an incor.
ated city or not, and by Q wise provi.
sion of our legislators. the choice is to
be made by those who are most vitality
interested In the questionable prop
erty owners of the town. 1t Is mo.
mentous question and one which
should receive the careful considera-
tion of everyone qualified to vote and
we believe that II 1t is 90 regarded the
majority vote Of Thursday next will
be for incorporation. Certainly moth.
ing that we could now do, would tend
to the benefit of the people at large 80
much as to become incorporated and II
ever we needed q movement for the
public benefit we need il now. Our
town is in critical condition; many
Of our best business men and energetic
citizens who have held on through bad
times hoping for the future, and unde-
cided as to whether there is to be one or
not, will accept the verdict rend cred
next Thursday as conclusive evidence
as to whether Miles City is afflicted
with the dry rot or whether its prop
erty owners have the vim and energy
to reclaim it. If incorporation carries
the day, confidence is regained and q
bond of sympathy and union estab-
lished that is not only essential, but
absolutely necessary for the growth
and welfare Of the town. II it is lost,
by the votes of those who own the
town, it is an abject confession that
petty private principles have displaced
the broad principles that look to pub
lie rather than personal ends in these
matters, and those who possessed pub
lie spirit enough to vote for incorpora.
ton will speedily betake themselves to
more favored localities where they
will be appreciated. Miles City lie
now nine years old and in that time
has passed through varied existence.
The hurrah days Of the buffalo hunter
and the bull-whacker have been sue
ceeded by the excitement and
ephemeral prosperity Of railroad
building; then followed quieter times
but increased prosperity, through the
readjustment of business methods and
the stocking Of our ranges with cattle;
the latter years have brought us many
wealthy and progressive citizens who
have bought property, built hsnd-
some residences and made this their
home. For the two years last past we
have been as prosperous as any COM
munity could be, and but for the ter
rible visitation of providence last win.
ter we should still continue to be, but
we have all this time experienced the
need Of being Incorporated. 1t Is
needless to recount the damage we
have suffered from this condition OF
affairs. Thousands and thousands OF
dollars that would have been invested
here by eastern capitalists during our
flush times, have been turned away,
because In the opinion Of investors we
were q lawless mob, without protec.
ton OF any kind. No man of any
sense, and used to the benefits con-
ferred by incorporated cities, would
think for q moment Of investing In
property here. and making improve
ments when he knew that IN case mis-
building caught fire, 1t would be al.
lowed to burn to the ground without q
hand being raised to prevent 1t, and
when the customary benefit gained
by insurance was 90 costly a. to prsc.
tically be prohibitive. II doesn't re-
aulre an affidavit TO support this as
sertion; every citizen who has given IL
q thought knows It is SO, and II he fol-
lows out the line Of thought he must
know that the only escape from the
evil In the present or future is to In
corporate and become municipality
instead of and aggregation Of people
without laws, government or name.
Il will doubtless be urged by some,
that times are too hard at present fol
IN 10 take on the cost Of self govern
ment, and that the city, ifit becomes
one be oppressed by gang Of boodler'
who will :pile up taxes and ASSESS.
mepts and enrich themselves at the
expense Of the people. This Is very
fiimsy argument and scarcely tenabl'
under the circumstances. The cit,
government will be just what We will
make 1t, and II a doubt exsists In tn
mind of any citizen that we are inca
psble of electing a wise, economics
and public spirited government, h
must confess that he lives In . CON
munityjthat he is ashamed Of. For ou